Unionization 2010

• Published in: Perspectives on labour and income Vol. 22; no. 4; p. 18
• Main Author: Uppal, Sharanjit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa Statistics Canada 01.12.2010
• Subjects: Agreements; Collective bargaining; Earnings; Employees; Employment; Gender; Lockouts; Occupations; Part time employment; Private sector; Provinces; Public administration; Public sector; Strikes; Union membership; Unionization; Women; Canada
• ISSN: 0840-8750; 1492-496X

Changes in the unionization rate also varied across 10 major occupational groups (Chart C). Unionization declined most in health and management, and among occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities. The unionization rate also declined in trades, transport and equipment operator occupations. Conversely, it rose in art, culture, recreation and sport occupations, and sales and service. Changes in the unionization rate were more modest among other major occupational categories. Unionization rates also varied by age group, with 36.4% of those age 45 to 54 belonging to a union compared to 14.6% of those age 15 to 24. High unionization rates were also found among those with a university degree (34.0%) or a postsecondary certificate or diploma (33.2%); in Newfoundland and Labrador (37.4%) and in Quebec (36.3%); in educational services (67.6%), public administration (66.9%) and utilities (61.8%); and in health care occupations (61.5%). Low unionization rates were recorded in Alberta (22.9%); in agriculture (4.5%) and professional, scientific and technical services (4.2%); and in management occupations (9.1%). Earnings are generally higher in unionized than non-unionized jobs. Factors other than collective bargaining provisions contribute to this. These include varying distributions of unionized employees by age, sex, job tenure, industry, occupation, firm size, and geographical location. The effects of these factors are not examined here. However, unionized workers and jobs clearly have characteristics that are associated with higher earnings. For example, unionization is higher for older workers, those with more education, those with long tenure, and those in larger workplaces. Still, a wage premium exists, which, after controlling for employee and workplace characteristics, has been estimated at 7.7% (Fang and [Anil Verma] 2002).